One word comes to mind when I reflect on the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation over the past six years: resolve. As a noun, it means "a firm determination to do something" and as a verb, to "find a solution." Today, I implore you to celebrate it as both.

Our resolve began long before the creation of the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation in Erie, Pa. It began with President Nixon's declaration of the "War on Cancer," and intensified with the discovery of John Kanzius' "a better way." Every year, more than 500,000 Americans die from cancer. These victims and their loved ones have served as the source of our resolve.

There is a need for "a better way" of treatment and this is why the Kanzius Foundation was formed: to create national and global awareness of the potentials of the Kanzius Noninvasive Radiowave Cancer Treatment and to raise the funds to help accelerate the speed at which research progresses through human trials. A succinct mission.

It all began when John Kanzius was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and consequently set out to find "a better way" to treat the disease.

Taking an idea from concept to market is no easy task — especially when you are trying to beat cancer. John sought the support of elected officials, local media, friends and the communities in which he lived — Erie, Pennsylvania and Sanibel.

He was relentless, but despite that resolve, time was against him. John created a for-profit company to take the technology and device to market and sought community support to fund the clinical research to "prove" the concept. Volunteers from around the world engaged friends to conduct fundraisers and families of cancer victims directed memorial gifts in lieu of flowers to the research. Each dollar went to nonprofit institutions conducting the research, never to John's company or family.

In 2008, a group of Erie community leaders and friends started the Kanzius Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to keep the dream alive. The Foundation's charter was written with the ultimate goal to complete the pre-clinical work and "go out of business" — a rare nonprofit model.

Following John's passing in 2009, I was hired as the foundation's first executive director and given a succinct goal: fund all necessary research. Utilizing multiple communication platforms, the Kanzius Foundation shared a new concept with the world: "destroy the cancer cell, not the patient."

As we reflect back, let's remember the Pepsi Refresh Project, Leslie Stahl and 60 Minutes, the Lester and Sue Smith Pink Well Challenge, the Ellen DeGeneres Award competition, Glenn Beck's Night of Big Dreams, faces2012 and the Million Dollar Challenge. All of these platforms allowed the global audience to grow, which ultimately increased donations.

More than $16 million was contributed to make essential research possible. This resulted in more than 25 peer-reviewed, published manuscripts in scientific and medical journals — a key element in securing FDA approval for human trials.

This past May, our board of directors announced that a final study was being conducted and that Dr. Steven Curley's lab had received all of the funds necessary to take the Kanzius technology to the FDA. We can now confidently say that our mission is complete and we are closing our doors today, June 30.

To keep true to our mission, we have set up three funds that will assist in facilitating Phase II human trials in Erie, in Southwest Florida, and additional to-be-selected sites. All remaining assets and donations will be granted to these new funds. Details on how you can continue giving toward the next phase of human trials can be found on Kanzius.org.

Your stories have been our resolve. You have brought the Kanzius technology to this new milestone. Your dedication, generosity and support have given countless cancer patients and their loved ones hope. "A better way" has never been closer. It has been both exciting and humbling to lead the Team Kanzius wave-makers and today, as we hand the baton over to those responsible for the next stage, please, resolve to resolve.